Japan PM Shinzo Abe's visit in Ahmedabad is seen as an effort to cement ties between India and Japan. He, along with PM Narendra Modi carried out a first-of-its-kind roadshow from the city's airport to the iconic monument Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram today.

Ahmedabad: PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart arrived in Gujarat's Ahmedabad today.The visit is seen as an effort to cement ties between India and Japan. After ending their first-of-its-kind roadshow from the city's airport to the iconic monument Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, the prime ministers visited the historic Sidi Saiyyed Mosque which was built in 1573 under the regime of the last Sultanate of Gujarat. Mr Abe is on a two-day visit to India and will lay the foundation stone for India's first bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad tomorrow. For his grand welcome, the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are decked up with streets shimmering in fluorescent lights, and hoardings and banners dotting them.

Here are the live updates of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Gujarat visit:

PM Modi, Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe visited the famous Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad after their visit to the Sabarmati Ashram, where they paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi. The mosque is a symbol of a time when Gujarat dwelled and prospered under Muslim rule. It was built in 1573 under the regime of the last Sultanate of Gujarat.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe changed into a kurta and Indian-style Nehru jacket today before going on a roadshow with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after landing in Gujarat's Ahmedabad for a two-day visit. Underscoring the importance of India-Japan ties, PM Modi went to the airport and received his Japanese counterpart with a warm hug. Mr Abe, on his fourth visit to India, paid tribute at Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati ashram. The highlight of his visit will be tomorrow's launch of India's first bullet train project, which will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The project is getting financial assistance from Japan.

Sep 13, 2017

17:06 (IST)

A tiny glimpse of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's India visit through the lens

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, arrived today on a two-day visit, was accorded a warm welcome by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ahmedabad airport. The PMs also visited the famous Sabarmati Ashram where they paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi. Some of the moments have been captured beautifully on camera.

Sep 13, 2017

17:03 (IST)

Japan PM, his wife Akie Abe and PM Modi pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Sabarmati Ashram, the place from where Gandhi led the Dandi march, also known as the Salt Satyagraha in 1930. Following this, the trio will visit the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque which is known to be emblematic of the architectural beauty of Ahmedabad.

Sep 13, 2017

16:56 (IST)

PM Modi, Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe share a light moment by the riverside at Sabarmati Ashram.

Sep 13, 2017

16:46 (IST)

PM Modi, Shinzo Abe visit Sabarmati Ashram after the completion of their roadshow from Ahmedabad airport.

PM Modi briefs Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe on the symbolism of the Charkha as they visit Sabarmati Ashram, one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi, after their roadshow from Ahmedabad airport.

Sep 13, 2017

16:13 (IST)

Shinzo smiles and waves along as the roadshow progresses, seen on the left is Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Abe

Sep 13, 2017

16:07 (IST)

The grand roadshow begins

Japan PM Shinzo Abe changes into lovely blue Indian-style Nehru jacket as both the leaders set out for a grand roadshow. It begins from Ahmedabad airport and goes till Sabarmati Ashram. Mr Abe's wife Akie Abe is dressed in a beautiful pink coloured salwar-kameez.

The menu is mostly under wraps, but NDTV has learnt that it has been prepared by a team from the Taj group, along with Agashiye's own chefs. What is certain, however, is that the thali is all-vegetarian and it will feature PM Modi's favourite "Handvo" or vegetable cake, besides khichdi kadhi.

Some Japanese dishes will also be on offer, should the Japanese Prime Minister, his wife and other officials on the delegation wish for a taste of home.

Sep 13, 2017

13:28 (IST)

This is the fourth Annual Summit between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe.

"The two leaders will review the recent progress in the multifaceted cooperation between India and Japan under the framework of their 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' and will set its future direction," PM Modi's website stated.

The two leaders will also visit Dandi Kutir, the museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, at the Mahatma Mandir.

A red carpet's rolled, the building is wiped squeaky clean and there is even a board set up in Japanese language, as the mosque readies itself for a grand welcome of PM Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Both leaders will visit the 16th century mosque this evening after a visit to Sabarmati Ashram.

Prior to Abe's visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping also visited PM Modi's home state in 2014

In the year 2014, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping visited Gujarat on PM Modi's birthday. PM Modi had gifted Mr Xi a copy of Hindu text, Bhagwad Gita. Both leaders wore Nehru jackets. It was PM Modi's 64th birthday on Wednesday and he spent the evening with his visitor, the first Chinese president to visit India in eight years.

Hours before PM Modi and Shinzo Abe's arrival, Ahmedabad streets are adorned with their huge cutouts.

Sep 13, 2017

09:46 (IST)

Song and dance to line PM Modi-Abe roadshow in Ahmedabad

Thousands of people will line up along the 9-km stretch through which the cavalcade of the two VVIPs will pass. It will also have scores of children singing and dancing every few hundred metres, on 28 stages, to highlight myriad of cultures in India.

With capacity to accommodate 750 people, the bullet train is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities from seven to roughly three hours. The train project, which is expected to be commissioned by the year 2022, will have a dozen halts.

A 21-km-long tunnel will be dug between Boisar and BKC in Mumbai, seven km of which will be under sea.

(Representational Image)

Sep 13, 2017

08:49 (IST)

Here's how the day will unfold for PM Modi and Mr Abe

This afternoon, the two leaders begin their grand roadshow along a 9-km stretch from the Ahmedabad airport to Sabarmati Ashram

An hour later, they will then visit Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram

In the evening, the two leaders will visit Siddi Sayyaid ki Jaali, a 16th century mosque built in yellow sandstone in eastern Ahmedabad

Sep 13, 2017

08:49 (IST)

The banks of Sabarmati river in the city are lit up in the colours of Indian national flag.

Sep 13, 2017

08:31 (IST)

Preparations galore in Ahmedabad ahead of Abe visit

A day prior to Japan's PM Shinzo Abe's visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, PM said that, "India truly values the relationship with Japan and we look forward to further boosting our bilateral ties in a wide range of sectors."

He also shared details of the preparations done in Gujarat ahead of Mr Abe's arrival. The city's is lit up in fluorescent colours.